I’m quite happy with what he’s doing at the moment. But the refreshing thing for me is that he’s not had any pre-season games, which is quite remarkable, having seven goals from eight games

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Van Persie set the Premier League alight last time round when he plundered 37 goals in all competitions for Arsenal before joining Manchester United in a £24m deal.

The Holland hitman has continued his blistering form with United, notching ­seven goals in his first eight outings for Fergie’s men.

Van Persie’s spectacular form saw him score a hat-trick at Southampton in September and a brace in midweek to help United beat Cluj in the Champions League.

Fergie will be hoping Van Persie continues his great form when United travel to Newcastle tomorrow looking to keep pace with league leaders Chelsea.

The United boss knows Van Persie can create goals as well as score them and would love to see him smash his goals tally of last season.

Fergie said: “I would love that to happen and I think that in my experience, where we are at the moment, you need two strikers who are going to get you over 20 goals a season.

“If you get that, you definitely have a really good chance. I think Van Persie is a good passer of the ball. I think he has got good vision in his passing, too.

“The goal he made last week for Shinji Kagawa against Tottenham is evidence of his passing ability.

“I’m quite happy with what he’s doing at the moment. But the refreshing thing for me is that he’s not had any pre-season games, which is quite remarkable, having seven goals from eight games.

“So I’m pleased with that and I think his fitness will improve even more maybe.”

Fergie, who will welcome back Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick for the trip to Newcastle, insists he will keep on rotating goalkeepers David De Gea and Anders Lindegaard – even if they don’t like it!

The duo are battling to become United’s No.1, but Fergie insists he wants both of them to improve their big-game experience.

The Scot said: “De Gea’s an outstanding goalkeeper, he’s getting ­better all the time. I don’t know whether I should play him on Sunday or not.

“But the way we’ve been doing it for the last few weeks has worked out quite well for us.

“At some stage one will take over if he shows a real consistency, a top level of performance and maturity.

“At the moment neither of them have got big-game experience, but they’ll get that in time.

“Everyone has spoken about the young goal­keepers joining Manchester United, but Peter ­Schmeichel was only 27 when he came here and he gave us eight great years.

“Goalkeepers can play way into their 30s. Look at Brad Friedel or Peter Shilton, who was 40 when he played in the 1990 World Cup.”